Meet Maryland running back commitment DeAndre' Lane

Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox

Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox

Matt BrackenThe Baltimore Sun

For as long as DeAndre’ Lane can remember, he’s “been known for being fast.” That reputation was earned during his time playing football in the Arbutus rec league, later with Catonsville’s varsity squad, and starring in the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x200 with the Comets’ track program.

Because Catonsville’s opponents knew that Lane was capable of breaking off a long run outside on any given play, Comets coach Rich Hambor asked more of his star senior this fall.

“He’s versatile. He’s not 6-2, 240. He’s 5-9 or 5-10, 170, 165,” Hambor said. “We’re playing teams that are not going to let him go outside. So he can run between the tackles, no problem. He also has the speed to get to the second level.”

The “versatile” Lane, who could play either running back or slot receiver at Maryland, did just fine with the extra attention this fall, rushing for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns on 161 carries, while also catching six passes for 100 yards. Lane, who missed two-and-a-half games with a hamstring injury, powered the Comets to a 7-4 season that ended in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

“I definitely added a power element,” said Lane, a first-team All-Baltimore County selection at running back and cornerback. “I’m smaller, so I had to be able to run up the middle and take a beating. I just have to get used to that. I adjusted pretty fast. It was something new, something not too difficult.”

Lane, who finished his high school career as Catonsville’s leading scorer with 230 points, is looking forward to being tested again next fall in College Park. There’s talk that he could see the field sooner rather than later.

“From what [the coaches] told me, they do want me to play freshman year, whether it’s on kick returns or offense,” Lane said. “They just want to see what I do in training camp and make a decision.”

If Maryland decides to put two men deep on kick returns, Hambor said Lane might have a shot at joining Stefon Diggs. Lane hopes that possibility comes true next fall.

“I feel like it would be nice,” Lane said. “Probably dangerous for other teams. He’s fast and I have speed. I’m only going to get faster when I get there.”

Rankings: Rivals.com – Two-star prospect. Scout.com – Two-star prospect. ESPN.com – Two-star prospect, No. 42 player in Maryland, No. 105 cornerback. 247Sports.com – Two-star prospect, No. 52 player in Maryland, No. 156 athlete.Bench max: 26540-yard dash: 4.3Other schools considered: West Virginia, Wake Forest, TowsonFavorite NFL player: Robert Griffin IIIFavorite NFL team: New Orleans SaintsFavorite all-time Terp: Torrey SmithFavorite music: Chris Brown, DrakeFavorite movie: Think Like a ManFavorite TV show: Family GuyFavorite food: Macaroni and cheeseFavorite high school class: GymFavorite thing about College Park: “It’s a big campus, so that’s always nice. [There’s] a lot of things you can do around there.”Other high school sports: TrackHobbies: “I like to hang out, go places like the mall. I like to get out of the house on weekends, usually go out with friends or go work out.”Intended major: Physical therapySomething that not many people know about you: “Probably that I come from a family with a single mother.” Best football moment: “Probably becoming the all-time leading scorer at Catonsville.”Role model: “Ray Rice because he’s short like me, but he has a lot of heart and he just shows that height doesn’t matter. As long as you have will, you can do whatever you want.”Why Maryland? “I wanted to stay close to home. That had a big impact on my decision. Plus, it’s a good football program. They want to rebuild and I want to be a part of the rebuilding.”